© UNHCR/R.Nuri

The UN refugee agency and several partner organizations have begun distributing evening meal foodstuff for more than 55,000 Libyan refugees during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The food will be eaten during iftar, or the evening meal.

Fifteen items of food, including rice, pasta, couscous, oil, tomato paste, tuna, sugar and dates, are being handed out in five provinces in southern Tunisia, where tens of thousands of Libyans are staying in camps or living with host families after fleeing the fighting in Libya this year.

400 staff from UNHCR and other local and international organizations helped pack, transport and distribute the food at more than 34 distribution points across the south.

During Ramadan, approximately 10,000 families (55,000 people) will each receive a total of 120 kilogrammes of food items. The food will be distributed at regular intervals in the provinces of Tataouine, Gabes, Kebili, Sfax and Medenine.

Ali, who fled to Tunisia in April with a large group of relatives, said Ramadan was very important to him and his family. "Ramadan is an occasion for family reunions," he said, while adding sadly: "Although the Tunisians are being very generous, we are finding it difficult to feel at home because our community network has been disrupted."

Other organizations taking part in the Ramadan operation are the World Food Programme, the Tunisian Red Crescent, the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent, Islamic Relief, Al Tawoon, Secours Islamique France, Secours Populaire Francais, Wafa Relief and the Libyan Relief Committee.